Chapter 210: Side: Amanda

Chapter 210: Side: Amanda

Watching Fran fight Goldalfa left me in a state of shock. She had become far stronger than I had imagined.

Fran had always been both strong and cute. That, I knew from the moment we first met. I had also known that she would eventually grow if given enough time.

I knew that she would one day surpass me, but I had always thought that day was one that wouldn’t come for another 10 years.

I had predicted that she would lose her quarter-final match, but she didn’t. She defeated Goldalfa, a foe that I would have had to struggle against.

Her rate of growth was so high it could only be deemed abnormal. It was likely one brought about by her desire to evolve, and made possible by Master, her mysterious sword. I had no doubt that it was he that guided her along.

Speaking of which, it seemed that Master had also grown considerably more powerful. He had performed several surprising feats as Fran dueled Goldalfa, feats that simply could not possibly be attributed to Fran herself. Specifically, I believed it was likely that he was responsible for using the instances in which the Fran had seemingly used Space Time Magic and Lightning Magic chantlessly in rapid succession. Likewise, I also assumed that he was the catalyst that had allowed her to evolve, to do what was considered unthinkable for the Black Cat Tribe’s members.

I was unable to tell exactly which abilities could be attributed to Fran, and which could be attributed to Master, but I did know that they would make for a difficult opponent with their powers combined.

They were not to be underestimated, even in the slightest.

The most surprising part of the battle was when they used Physical Damage Nullification. I was only able to recognize the skill because I had once experienced fighting against a foe that happened to have it. Their ability to stop Goldalfa’s axe head on and block his powerful shockwave-based attacks with nothing but an outstretched arm served to evidence that they either had the skill or one in its vein.

Physical Damage Nullification was powerful and difficult to deal with, but it still did have its flaws. Its high mana consumption meant I could eventually break through her defenses so long as I continued to attack.

「That girl has quite the strength to her. Is she perhaps some sort of adventurer?」

「I highly doubt that conjecture of yours. She appears to be a Beastkin, and is therefore most likely associated with the Beastkin’s Country.」

「I really would prefer if she was to affiliate herself with us given her strength.」

「Well, I shan’t be allowing to steal a march on me.」

「She has quite the number of applications if you take her beauty into consideration.」

「Uhyohyo, I would like to take her under my own wing as well.」

The nobles in my vicinity did as they inevitably would have, and began to make note of her. Fran’s tender age had led them to believe that she was prone to listen to their commands regardless of what they were.

「I would love for her to join the ranks of my imperial guests.」

She wore a wonderful smile as she readied herself for battle. She was neither afraid of me nor nervous. I could tell that she had directed her entire focus on victory and nothing more.

I knew that I was going to have to push myself if I wanted to win. Yesterday’s observations had led me to understand that Fran had already not only surpassed me in terms of speed, but also had enough firepower to slay me in but a single blow.

That was simply how much strength her evolution had provided her.

And it was also the precise reason for which I had to win. I had to more than just win. I had to overwhelm her and prove to her that she should refrain from letting her guard down, and I had to be ready to make any and all sacrifices necessary to make that possible.

Fran and Master unleashed several spells the moment the match began.

The precise combination was one of wind and lightning. It seemed that the former was used to prevent me from using my whip, and the latter to paralyze me.

It was clear that they were using their heads, but the spells they had casted were far too weak to stop me in my tracks. I fought back by concentrating and releasing a mass of magical energy in order to execute my fastest and most powerful technique, one that completely blew their spells away.

「Call of the End — Vaisravana’s Downfall!」

My whip raged through the stadium at a speed not even I could perceive.

It blew Fran’s magic away and began assaulting her.

My assault proved that Fran had the Physical Damage Nullification skill. Each of the attacks assailing her were powerful enough to turn a High Ogre into mincemeat, but she was not taking any sort of visible damage whatsoever.

Still, I continued flaying my whip. I could tell my attacks were draining Fran’s mana. I had to press on until she ran out.

My divine whip technique’s high power was both its greatest strength and weakness. My whip would be destroyed if I kept up the barrage for far too long.

The whip I was currently using was one I had for many years, and one I had come to love, but I continued to press on regardless. There was no point in worrying about my weapon lasting me through to the final round. My true purpose was to win this match. Instilling a sense of humility in Fran was the one thing that really mattered.

「Here she comes.」

Fran vanished. I knew she had teleported through the use of Space/Time Magic, and because I knew, I was able to react to her attack.

I moved as quickly as I could and got away from my prior position. Fran appeared where I had been moments before, her face full of surprise.

Still, she didn’t give up.

She combined her skills and spells in order to accelerate at a rate far outside my expectations, an act that in and of itself, was exactly what I expected from her.

「Haaaahhh!」

Fran put me in a bad spot. She not only activated my Spirit’s Grace skill, but had also forced me in her preferred range. Her black lightning cloaked blade flew right at me once again. It was an attack I highly doubted I was capable of dodging.